Gold deal for Sharks
Former Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold is set to return to South Africa, to take up a top job at the Sharks.
rugby365 can reveal that the 47-year-old Gold will soon sign on the dotted line to replace Jake White as Director of Rugby at the Sharks.
The formalities are expected to be completed by Friday, but it is uncertain when Sharks (Pty) Ltd Chief Executive Officer John Smit will make the announcement.
This follows in the wake of the recent departure of the World Cup-winning former Bok coach, White, from Durban under contentious and curious circumstances.
White has since signed a short-term deal to help Tonga's national team to act as a 'technical advisor' during their Northern Hemisphere tour in November.
Gold – who boasts Super Rugby, Premiership and international experience – is currently employed as coach at Top League club Kobelco Steelers.
It is believed he has agreed to terms to depart Japan and move to Durban.
Gold began his coaching career as assistant coach under Brendan Venter at London Irish in 2001, before being promoted to the position of head coach the following year – when Venter returned to South Africa.
After three seasons at the Exiles he moved to Cape Town and joined the Stormers as a technical advisor, before coaching Western Province in the Currie Cup in July 2007 – after Kobus van der Merwe and Jerome Paarwater resigned.
He joined Pieter de Villiers as a forwards coach at the Springboks in 2008 and was part of the South Africa set-up which won the Tri-Nations title as well beat the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
In January 2012 Gold moved back to the Premiership an signed up with the Newcastle Falcons. In May 2012 he moved to Bath, where he started out as head coach and then promoted to Director of Rugby.
In December 2013 Gold was shown the door, a move that raised many questions.
Earlier this year he moved to Japan to join Kobelco Steelers.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
